Zulu tea, Bushman's tea
Athrixia phylicoides
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows about 1 m high. The stems are leafy throughout. The leaves are dark green and fine. They are 3 cm long by 1 cm wide. They are shiny above and grey white underneath. The flowers are purple and in heads. They are towards the ends of branches.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in South Africa in grassland and forest. It can be in rocky and sloping places. It grows well in full sun. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland
How it is used for food
The leaves are used to make tea.
Edible parts
Leaves - tea
How it is grown
It can be grown from cuttings. It can be cut back and will re-sprout.
Its other names
Local names
Icholocholo, Itshelo, Itiye-la-bantu, Itshalo, Mothathaila, Sephomolo, Umthsanelo, Umtshanela